Sliding window construction



United States Patent 2,889,590 SLIDING WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Aloysius T.Kunkel, Akron, Ohio; Albert A. Kunkel, administrator of the estate ofsaid Aloysius T. Kunkel, deceased Application July 30, 1956, Serial No.600,992 6 Claims. (Cl. 20-522) This invention relates to art of windowconstruction and in particular has reference to improvements in thefield of sliding windows that operate transversely of each other duringusage.

In the known prior art of sliding window construction there have beenprovided several different types and forms of windows falling withinthis general category. In the main, these windows have generallycomprised two or more sections that are slidable transversely of theframe member in a series of tract members provided on opposed side railsthereof. In this regard, the conventional double hung window is typicalof the type of construction employed wherein two side-by-side guidetracks are employed for respectively receiving the upper and lower sashmembers.

Recent improvements in this field have been directed to use of tripletrack type construction where a screen or other member is placed in anintermediate track falling between the tracks for the top and bottomsash members, for example, to facilitate conversion from a storm windowto a screen without the necessity for removing any of the componentparts.

One of the prime disadvantages of the above type windows is that thesame must always be sealed at their point of overlap with each otherwith such seal being normally diflicult to effectuate.

As an additional disadvantage, it has been found that the opposed trackswithin which the sash members slide must be made removable so as tofacilitate removal of the sash members with respect to the frame. Such aremovable feature necessarily adds to the cost of the construction andrenders difiicult the problem of effectuating an air-tight sealing inthe critical edge area of the sash.

It accordingly becomes a principle object of this invention to providean improved type of sliding sash construction that is characterized bythe use of two or more sash members that are capable of being abutted insideby-side co-extensive relationship with each other while beingcapable of being shifted into a condition of overlapping upon slidingmovement of the members during usage thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved type ofsliding sash construction characterized by the fact that the removablesash members are removable with respect to the frame without thenecessity for removing or in any way changing the position of the guidemembers therefor.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improvedtype of sliding sash construction that is characterized by an effectiveair-tight seal between the movable sash and the frame, as well as aneffective airtight seal between the sash members themselves when thesame are arranged in side-by-side co-extensive relationship with eachother.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upona reading of the following brief specification, considered andinterpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view looking at the exterior surface of theimproved window.

Figure 2 is a similar plan View but showing the interior surface of theimproved window.

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken on the lines 33, 44,5-5, and 6-6, respectively, of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on the lines 7-7 of Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1, 2 and 5thereof, the improved window construction generally designated by thenumeral 10, is shown including a frame member 11 having a rectangularopening within which is received a pair of sliding sash members 12 and13; the arrangement being such that the sash members 12 and 13 aremovable from the side-by-side coextensive relationship with each otherthat is shown in full lines in Figures 1, 2 and 5, to a position ofoverlapping as partially indicated in chain-dotted lines in Figure 5 ofthe drawings. In this manner, the window opening may be partially openedfor ventilation or other purposes.

Considering first the structure of frame member 11, it.

will be seen from the drawing that the same includes the usual siderails 20 and 21, as well as a sill 22, and a top rail or frame member23.

With regard to the construction of the side rails 20 and 21, referenceis made first to Figure 5 of the drawing where it is shown that the siderails 20 and 21 include the usual shoulder stops 20a and 21arespectively, against which the edge portions of the sash may bereceived as shown in Figure 5. In addition, the side rail 21 includes aspaced stop member 24 for the purpose of defining, with shoulder 21a, aguide track for the movable sash member 13, with a weather-strippingunit 25 being shown received in the groove for the purpose oftensionally spacing the sash member 13 with respect to this track. Bylike token, the opposed side rail 20 includes a removable stop memberdesignated by the numeral 26, and as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings,this stop member 26 is vertically shiftable with respect to the top rail23 and the sill 22 so that the same may merely be shifted upwardly tothe position shown in chain-dotted lines of Figure 7 to facilitateremoval thereof with appropriate grooves 22a and 23a being provided inthe members 22 and 2-3 respectively for this purpose. A similarweatherstripping unit 27 is received within the just-described verticaltrack of side rail 20 for the purpose of suspending the movable sash 12with respect thereto.

Referring next to Figure 6 for a detailed description of sill member 22,it will be seen that the same includes inner and outer vertical surfaces30 and 31 respectively, that are interconnected by an inclined surface31a, guideways 32 and 33, as well as an inner face 34; the arrangementof the above component parts being such that the guide-ways 32 and 33are spaced at diiferent elevations for purposes to be described and areadditionally sep arated by a stop 35, that extends, as best shown inFigure 5, approximately half-way across the sill member 22. Aweather-stripping unit 36 is received in the groove or guide-way 32 forthe purposes of making the effective thereof projecting for contact withthe outer face of the sash members 12 and 13 as is best shown in Figure6 of the drawings.

elevation thereof approximately equal to that of the groove Referringnext to the upper rail 23, it will be seen from Figure 6 of the drawingthat the same includes the usual inner and outerfaces 40 and 41 that areinterconnected by an inwardly presented face generally indicated by thenumeral 42. This inwardly presented face 42 includes a horizontal face43 that. abuts against an undercut guide way 44to define a shoulder 45against which may be received. the upper edge of the sash 12, forexample, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, with this groove 44overlying the groove 32 and including a weatherstripping unit 46.

In addition, the undercut portion 44 defines a second vertical shoulder47 that defines a horizontal face 48 from which depends a flange 49 thathas the return end 51! thereof spaced with respect to the surface 48 todefine a groove within which a complemental portion of the sash members12 and 13 may be received as will presently be described.

In addition to the aforementioned component parts, there is also carriedby the upper rail 23 a cam plate generally indicated by the numeral 51and its plan configuration best shown in Figure 4 of the drawing whereinit is shown that the cam plate 51 includes a tapered surface 52 againstwhich an edge portion of the sash 12 may be received as will bepresently described, with such cam plate 51 being secured to the flange49 in known manner as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings.

Considering next the structure of the sash members 12 and 13 per se, itwill be seen from the drawings that the same are of rectangular shape soas to include the usual opposed stile members and bottom rails. inaddition, the sash member 13 has the upper rail thereof defined by anundercut slot 55 (see Figure 6) that is designed for reception withinthe groove defined by members 48 and 50. In this manner, the flange orlip 50 becomes received within the undercut slot 55 so that the same maybe shifted transversely of the sill 22 between the full and chain-dottedline positions of Figure 5. A similar slot (not shown) may be providedon the remaining sash member 12 if desired.

At this time, it will be assumed that it is desired to open the sash andat this time, it is merely necessary that the lug 63 be turned and theknob 64 pulled inwardly so that the entire sash assembly 12 may be movedto the chain-dotted line position of Figure 5. At this time, the knob 64may have force exerted thereon to cause the sash 12 to be moved to theleft to the dotted line position in Figure 5. During the aforementionedmovement, it is believed apparent that such transverse movement of thesash member 12 across the sill will cause the groove 55a thereof (seeFigure 6) to be engaged by the projecting lip t) with the result thatthe sash member 12 is suspended with respect to the top rail 23 of frame11. Also, at this time, it will be noted from an examination of Figure5, that the lower rail of the sash 12 will be received within the groove33 so that a guided transverse movement occurs with respect to the sash12, with maintaining of its vertical condition being achieved as aresult of the support provided by the guide 243 and the innerlockbetween the flange 5t} and slot groove corresponding to groove 55 ofmember 13.

When it is desired to close the sash member 12, it is merely necessarythat the knob 64 be moved to the right to. result in the inner edgeportion 12a (see Figure 5) of sash 12 riding along the inclined surface52 of cam plate 51. Such engagement between the edge 12a and the surface52 will guide the side rail of the sash member 12 into the guide channeldefined by the shoulder 22 and removable stop 26.

In the event it is desired to remove one or more of the sash members, itis merely necessary that the removable stop member 26 be raisedvertically (see Figure 7), so as to be easily removed from its conditionof engagement with the side rail 20. At this time, the bottom portion ofthe sash member 12 may be swung transversely of the .4 sill 22 and byvirtue of the fact that the groove 33 extends only half-way across, thiswillpermit the sash member 12 to be easily removed with respect to theframe 11 for cleaning or other purposes.

During the time that the window is closed as above described, it isbelieved apparent that the sash members 12 and 13, together with theframe 11, will constitute an air-tight structure, with air seals beingprovided by weather-stripping units 25, 27', 32 and 46, as well as the.

resilient flange 60 that seals ofi the-point of contact between the sashmembers 12 and 13. In this regard, as an alternative embodiment of theinvention, there may be utilized between sash members 12 and 13 orelsewhere, a weather-stripping having an arched sheet that istensionally retained with respect to a fiat base member to effectuate aweathentight seal. It is to be understood that other equivalent types ofweather-stripping could be employed with a satisfactory result.

in addition to the above described component parts the preferredembodiment in the invention set forth herein additionally shows inFigure 5, the provision of an outer stop rail 7% that would extendperimetrically of the frame opening so as to enact with the outerportions of frame 11 for the purpose of receiving therein a screenmember that is designated by the numeral 71. In this regard, it is to beunderstood that the use of the screen is not mandatory and couldaccordingly be dispensed with if desired.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a newand novel type of sliding sash window construction characterized by theuse of sliding sash members that coextensively abut at their side railportions when in a closed position. It has been shown how the use of aninterconnecting structure between the top edge of the frame and the topedge or the individual sash members permits a movement from this closedposition to an overlapping condition without the provision of additionaltracks for this purpose, and, additionally, it is shown how thisinterlocking structure permits and facilitates the easy removal of thewindow when desired, for the purpose of cleaning, etc.

While the foregoing preferred embodiment has illus trated single panesof glass in the sash members, it is to be understood that a double glasssash could be employed with equal facility.

It follows that modifications of the invention could be resorted towithout departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sliding sash construction of the character described, comprising; aframe having a quadrilateral opening therein and including a top railarea; a first guide track defined by said opening; a second guide trackdefined by said opening and being disposed adjacent said first guidetrack in parallelism therewith; a guide flange spaced from and overlyingsaid second guide track in the top rail area thereof; a pair of movablesash members slidingly received in said first guide track inside-by-side relationship and each having a top edge surface disposedadjacent said top rail area; means for shifting at least one said sashmember between a position in said first guide track and a position insaid second guide track upon movement thereof transversely of saidopening; and means for mechanically interlocking said top edge surfaceof at least one said sash with said guide flange upon shifting of saidsash member into said second guide track.

2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that saidlast mentioned means includes a transversely extending groove thatextends inwardly from one face of said sash at a spaced distance fromsaid edge surface thereof, whereby said groove may be received over saidflange upon said shifting movement.

3. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that saidmeans first mentioned include a cam plate. positioned within said secondguide track.

asse,

4. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that eithersaid sash is removable with respect to said flange only when positionedin said first guide track.

5. A sliding sash construction of the character described, comprising; aframe having a quadrilateral opening therein and including a top railarea; a first guide track defined by said opening; a second guide trackdefined by said opening and being disposed adjacent said first guidetrack in parallelism therewith; a guide flange spaced from the overlyingsaid second guide track in the top rail area thereof; a pair of movablesash members slidingly received in said first guide track in sideby-siderelationship, and each having a top edge surface disposed adjacent saidtop rail area; means for shifting at least one said sash member betweena position in said first guide track and a position in said second guidetrack upon movement thereof transversely of said opening; and means formechanically interlocking said top edge surface of at least one saidsash with said guide flange upon shifting of said sash member into saidsecond guide track, said first guide track having received therein aspring loaded weather stripping device whereby said sash members aretensionally spaced with respect to said first guide track.

6. A sliding sash construction of the character described, comprising; aframe having a quadrilateral opening therein and including a top railarea; a first guide track defined by said opening; a second guide trackdefined by said opening and being disposed adjacent said first guidetrack in parallelism therewith; a guide flange spaced from and overlyingsaid second guide track in the top rail area thereof; a pair of movablesash members slidingly received in said first guide track inside-by-side relationship and each having a top edge surface disposedadjacent said top rail area; means for shifting at least one said sashmember between a position in said first guide track and a position insaid second guide track upon movement thereof transversely of saidopening; and means for mechanically interlocking said top edge surfaceof at least one said sash with said guide flange upon shifting of saidsash member into said second guide track, said first guide trackincluding a stop portion that is removable with respect to said frame,whereby access to said first guide track can be had upon removal of saidstop member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS197,813 Beard Dec. 4, 1877 263,670 Bauch Sept. 5, 1882 603,597 Kittelsenet al May 3, 1898 942,269 Lee Dec. 7, 1909 1,303,984 Stow et a1. May 20,1919 2,026,285 Powers Dec. 31, 1935 2,288,712 Hurd July 7, 19422,317,312 Swanson et al Apr. 20, 1943 2,564,299 Conghenour Apr. 14, 1951

